Definition: Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 11:23. It's a really important passage about faith and encouraging people to follow Jesus. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says: “When God showed His grace (His kindness and love) to them, he was filled with joy and encouraged them to stay loyal to Him.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Who, when he came…” – This refers to the leader of the Jewish community, Barnabas. He was traveling with the group of believers. “…and had seen the grace of God…” – This means he'd witnessed something amazing – God’s kindness and love – that showed Him how truly special and worthy He is. It's like seeing a beautiful sunset – it makes you feel good! “Was glad…” – Barnabas felt a deep sense of happiness and gratitude. It wasn’t just a polite feeling; he genuinely enjoyed witnessing this grace. “…and exhorted them all…” – He spoke to the group, urging them to continue following God’s will. “That with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” – This is the key part! “Cleave unto” means to stick closely to something or someone. So, he was telling them to fully commit themselves to and follow Jesus. It’s about choosing to stay loyal and devoted to Him. In a nutshell: Barnabas was filled with joy because God showed him goodness, and he encouraged the group of believers to remain faithful to Him by sticking with his mission. Why is this important? This verse shows that God’s grace isn't just given to us; it’s also received and appreciated . It encourages us to be grateful for God’s love and to stay committed to following what He wants us to do. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when did it happen)? Compare it to a similar idea in other parts of the Bible?